2026 is just around the corner, and the Limerick Voice sports desk are ready to put their flags to the mast and predict the sporting year.
Andrew Moynihan
1. Who will win All-Ireland titles in football (men and ladies), hurling and camogie?
Kerry will win in the mens. They showed enough in the final three games of 2025 to go the distance again in 2026. Meath are threatening in the ladies, and I expect them to reach the summit again. A malfunction against Dublin in last year’s quarter final may have put a bit of disrespect on the Limerick hurlers’ name. I expect them to recover. Galway to retain their title in Camogie.
2. Who will win the Champions Cup?
Toulouse: A recent defeat to Glasgow has raised a few eyebrows, but I expect Toulouse to recover and go deep into the competition once again.
3. Who will lift the Premier League trophy in May?
Man City: Sorry Arsenal fans, but I believe that Pep Guardiola’s side will come good just at the right time again. I expect far from a quiet January transfer window for them also, to boost their chances.
4. Who will receive the green jacket at The Masters?
Ludvig Aberg: It is hard to believe that the 2026 edition will only be Aberg’s third Augusta appearance. Two top-10 finishes so far (including 2nd in his debut) show that he is more than capable of snatching a green jacket at some stage. Why not in 2026?
5. Will Ireland qualify for the FIFA World Cup? Who will win the FIFA World Cup?
Yes, Ireland will qualify for the World Cup. Book those flights to Mexico. The momentum from our latter group games will continue into March and we have the ability to see off Czechia, and likely Denmark in Dublin.
Spain to win: Lamine Yamal was the shining star for Spain at EURO 2024. His recent dip in form should not shake a side who are littered with talent. The Strait Times have a brilliant simulator, which for me, has Spain defeating England in the final.
6. Will Andy Farrell lead Ireland back to Six Nations glory in 2026?
No. It is certainly a period of transition for an Ireland side who had a disappointing Autumn Internationals campaign. England have improved, and France certainly have the better of Ireland. They host Ireland in the first game and I expect them to get their campaign underway with a win.
7. What is one wild sporting prediction you have for 2026?
A goalkeeper will win the GAA Footballer of the Year award. The notion that a keeper’s influence on a game would be limited with the new rules of Gaelic Football have been cast aside by the innovators. We’re awash with top quality goalkeepers at the moment, and what is stopping one from claiming the GAA’s highest individual honour?
Cillian Horan
1. Who will win All-Ireland titles in football (men and ladies), hurling and camogie?
History is against Kerry repeating as All-Ireland champions this summer. Although Jack O’Connor has won five All-Ireland titles, none of them have been consecutive. However, I back the Kingdom to go against the grain and pick up Sam Maguire for the second year running. Kerry had a formidable finish last year, and after adding Kieran Donaghy to the backroom team, look good to go back-to-back in 2026. (God, I’d have loved to say Kildare). From the onset, 2026 looks to be the toughest Hurling All-Ireland to call in years, so I’ll go for the safest option. Liam Cahill’s Tipperary won an unlikely Liam McCarthy in 2025, beating red-hot favourites Cork in the final, so I’ll pick them to do it again in 2026. However, it’s anyone’s to win.
Dublin cruised to victory against Leinster rivals Meath in last year’s Ladies final, and I’ll back them to pick up their third All-Ireland in four years this time around. They ooze class, boasting the likes of Niamh Hetherton and Carla Rowe, and will take some stopping in 2026. Having been beaten by Galway in last year’s Camogie final in a replay of the 2024 showpiece, I’m picking Cork to go back to the summit of Camogie this year. They’ve been in every final since 2020, they know how to win, and they’ll have the bit between their teeth after finishing as runners-up last time around.
2. Who will win the Champions Cup?
I’ll pick Leo Cullen’s Leinster to win the Champions Cup in Bilbao this year. Leinster picked up the trophy the last time the final was played at San Mames in 2018, the last time the province won it.
3. Who will lift the Premier League trophy in May?
Man City: Arsenal fans, look away. I’ve got two words for you: Erling Haaland. The Norwegian is having another one of those seasons we’ve become accustomed to from him. The likes of Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki have also stood up massively in recent weeks. City have the manager and the experience of winning titles. I’m not sure Arsenal have either. If Haaland can stay fit, it’s difficult to pick against Pep Guardiola picking up his seventh Premier League title in May.
4. Who will receive the green jacket at The Masters?
Rory McIlroy: He banished the demons of Augusta last year by winning his first Green Jacket and completing the career Grand Slam. No longer bound by the shackles of never having won one, I see no reason why he can’t repeat the trick this year.
5. Will Ireland qualify for the FIFA World Cup? Who will win the FIFA World Cup?
Yes. All bias aside, I think Ireland will spend this summer competing in their first World Cup since 2002.Although Czechia are a formidable opponent, particularly at home, the mood around Czech football is completely the opposite to the good vibes in Ireland at the minute. There is complete disarray between the Czech FA, the fans, and the players. If Ireland were to set up a date in Dublin with Denmark, I think the crackling atmosphere at the Aviva would be enough to get the Boys in Green on the plane to America.
Portugal to win: Portugal, please do it for him. Please do it for him. Please do it for him. Please do it for him. Please do it for him. Please do it for him. Please do it for him.
6. Will Andy Farrell lead Ireland back to Six Nations glory in 2026?
No, England to win: It’s hard to back against Steve Borthwick’s men entering this year’s Six Nations campaign. Boasting 14 touring members of last year’s British and Irish Lions squad, and a home game against Andy Farrell’s Ireland, England will be a tough side to beat in the spring.
7. What is one wild sporting prediction you have for 2026?
Thomas Frank will get sacked twice: This one is a bit rogue, but I can see it happening. Spurs manager Thomas Frank looks like he could already be under pressure at the Tottenham Stadium, and I can see him receiving his marching orders sometime in the New Year.
Much like his predecessor Ange Postecoglou, I can see him rushing into a new job way too soon, with someone like Leeds and not making it to Christmas 2026. Keith Andrews’ successes at Brentford has shown that the club is run like a well-oiled machine, and I think Frank’s inferior tactics have been shown up since his departure from the Gtech Stadium. By Christmas 2026, he will either be managing in Saudi Arabia, or working in some kind of consultancy role for the Danish FA.
Diarmuid O’Carroll
1. Who will win All-Ireland titles in football (men and ladies), hurling and camogie?
Am I crazy for saying Meath here? Well, yes, but statement wins over Dublin and Kerry, along with more of their 2021 Minor winners becoming eligible has made me a believer in this year’s SFC semi-finalists.
I’m a lot more conservative with my other picks; Dublin should retain the Martin Cup, Cork should reclaim O’Duffy, and I’d rather be caught dead than go against my boys back home in Tipperary keeping a hold of Liam McCarthy.
2. Who will win the Champions Cup?
Toulouse: For the last five years, a French club has owned the title “Champions of Europe.” But this time— …they’ll own it again. Easily.
3. Who will lift the Premier League trophy in May?
Man City: Arsenal fell for the oldest trick in the book: the classic Man City autumn. Prepare yourself for the most villainous 20-game winning streak and Pep’s 7th title wrapped up by April. Citypool forever.
4. Who will receive the green jacket at The Masters?
Justin Rose: Since the Universe was so kind to grant Rory McIlroy his final wish at Pebble Beach last February, is it so bad to believe Rose can finally get it done at Augusta?
5. Will Ireland qualify for the FIFA World Cup? Who will win the FIFA World Cup?
Any sane man should tell you yes. However, while Czechia seems easy on paper, Denmark’s terrifying spine features Joachim Andersen, Andreas Christensen and Mikkel Damsgaard. I’m cautiously optimistic.
As for the winners, Yamal will fully kickstart his GOAT case with a Euros-World Cup double for Spain already by 19.
6. Will Andy Farrell lead Ireland back to Six Nations glory in 2026?
No chance. Antoine Dupont will continue to torture us for both club and country, driving France to back-to-back titles. At least Les Bleus sounds more comforting than an England win.
7. What is one wild sporting prediction you have for 2026?
Ireland reaches the knockouts of the World Cup. Mexico, South Korea and South Africa is the most nailed-on four-pointer I’ve ever seen. As long as there is delusion, there is hope.